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From an old landfill to an agile plan for 5,000 students and sustainable community connection: That’s the OSU-Cascades long-term plan.

At a Glance

  • 128

    Acres

Location
Bend, Oregon
Offices
Client
  • Oregon State University System
Award
Society for College and University Planning (SCUP), Award for Excellence in Planning New Campus 2018

Oregon State University Cascades Long Range Development Plan

Our Long-Range Development Plan at OSU-Cascades is shaping Central Oregon’s first four-year university, establishing a physical framework to support the growth of 5,000 students over the next two decades. The plan anticipates shifts in demographics, technology, and education—fostering a dynamic environment for learning and collaboration while driving long-term environmental, economic, social, and cultural resilience for the region.

A key challenge is transforming a former landfill and pumice mine into a thriving campus. The solution: a remediation and reclamation strategy that revitalizes these brownfield areas into a vibrant, sustainable setting that strengthens the Bend community.

OSU-Cascades leads sustainable campus development with an innovative infrastructure plan designed to achieve net-zero energy, water, and waste. The plan integrates dynamic, environmentally friendly processes that educate and engage students, faculty, staff, and visitors in sustainability.

The university’s role extends beyond education—it catalyzes regional growth, cultural exchange, and technological advancement. The plan supports this vision through partnerships, mixed-use spaces, and shared community facilities. With universal accessibility, open collaboration spaces, and permeable campus boundaries, the campus breaks down barriers, fostering an inclusive, connected academic and civic hub.

At the start of the Long-Range Development Plan process, community concerns emerged around the university’s potential social impacts. Through a strategic, solutions-driven engagement process, OSU-Cascades and Stantec harnessed local knowledge, values, and strengths to create a plan rooted in collaboration.

At a Glance

  • 128

    Acres

Location
Bend, Oregon
Offices
Client
  • Oregon State University System
Award
Society for College and University Planning (SCUP), Award for Excellence in Planning New Campus 2018

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